One of the world's oldest continuously practiced medical systems, originating in the Indian subcontinent and still a major component of India's formal healthcare system today. It takes a holistic approach combining diet, herbal and mineral preparations, lifestyle regimens and surgery, organized around the concept of doshas. Its two most important foundational texts are the Charaka Samhita, on internal medicine and diagnosis, and the Sushruta Samhita, on surgery, one of the earliest systematic surgical treatises in the world.
Facts
Disputed
Origin PeriodThe Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita were compiled and redacted over many centuries by multiple authors rather than at a single date by a single author; historians place the Charaka Samhita's core content anywhere from the seventh century BCE to the early centuries CE, with a major redaction around 400 CE. 2 Some scholars place the Charaka Samhita's core content as early as the seventh century BCE, others argue its named author cannot have lived later than roughly 100 BCE to 200 CE, and the redactor Dridhabala filled in an estimated twenty percent of missing verses around 400 CE. Several historical figures used the name Sushruta, complicating attribution of the Sushruta Samhita as well. Classification
Type/Classification Ayurveda
Filter Results2 entries
Connections
Associated With
Source Homeopathy (Wikipedia)
Notable Specialists
Charaka is the attributed author of the Charaka Samhita, a foundational Ayurvedic text.
Author of the Sushruta Samhita, Ayurveda's foundational surgical text.
Source Sushruta (Wikipedia)
Vagbhata is the attributed author of the Ashtanga Hridaya, a foundational Ayurvedic text.
Sources
1. Wikipedia: Medical specialty
WikipediaClassification tableQuote, Classification table
Medical specialties that focus on the diagnosis and non-surgical treatment of disease.
2. A glimpse of Ayurveda (PMC)
PubMed Central, National Institutes of HealthPMC5198827, History of Ayurveda sectionQuote, PMC5198827, History of Ayurveda section
Charaka Samhita describes all aspects of Ayurvedic medicine and Sushruta Samhita describes the Science of Surgery.
Ayurvedic Medicine: In Depth
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, National Institutes of Healthnccih.nih.gov Ayurvedic Medicine In Depth, What Is Ayurvedic Medicine sectionQuote, nccih.nih.gov Ayurvedic Medicine In Depth, What Is Ayurvedic Medicine section
The ancient Indian medical system, also known as Ayurveda, is based on ancient writings that rely on a natural and holistic approach to physical and mental health.
Homeopathy (Wikipedia)
WikipediaAssociated With: Homeopathy, Regulation sectionQuote, Associated With: Homeopathy, Regulation section
It has established the Department of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Ayurveda's two most important foundational texts?
The Charaka Samhita and the Sushruta Samhita.
The Charaka Samhita describes internal medicine and general Ayurvedic practice, while the Sushruta Samhita describes surgery, including couching, an ancient technique for treating cataracts.
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